Doing This or That
Friday’s Verse:
From James 4:15 ESV
Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
We make plans. We schedule calendars, book meetings, write sermons (well, at least I do), plan homes, and look forward. Making plans isn’t bad. In fact, God expects us to be good stewards of our time and our responsibilities.
But James wants us to remember that our plans ultimately rest in the hands of one greater than ourselves.
It’s easy to feel like we are in control. To make plans and boldly declare what we will do next month, next year, or five years from now. But James pulls us back to reality. You and I were given this life by God, who provides us with every breath by His grace.
As Lutherans hear James's words, we aren’t thrown into panic mode. Instead, we reply, “If the Lord wills.” We say those words not because we fear the unknown, but because we serve a God who loved us so much that He gave us His only Son. The God who ordains our days is the same God who sent Jesus to the cross for our sins, rose Him from the grave for our salvation.
Therefore, we can make plans, but hold them loosely while we tightly cling to God’s promises.
So whether your day goes “according to plan” or takes an unexpected twist, know that Christ is our Savior. His grace is enough. His mercies are new every morning. And His plans for us will be for our eternal good.
Make your plans. Work hard. But work with the humble heart that can say, “If the Lord wills,” trusting in His wisdom greater than our own.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Almighty Father, guide and order my life so I may be a good disciple of Your Son. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
The photo above is licensed through Unsplash+